Last-minute Christmas shopping tips for Australians

Savvy shoppers and retail experts have revealed their top tips on how Australians can get the most out of their Christmas spending. But they must adopt a buyer beware attitude.

Savvy shoppers and retail experts have revealed their top tips on how Australians can get the most out of their last-minute Christmas spending.

While brick-and-mortar stores remain the most popular place for consumers to do their Christmas shopping, research from Monash University has revealed that almost half of Aussie shoppers are planning to spend money on online-only retailers such as The Iconic and Temu.

Australian Retailers Association (ARA) Chief Industry Affairs Officer Fleur Brown said that Christmas “remains a challenging period for many households, especially during the festive season.”

“We know many Australians are being more thoughtful than ever about making this festive season special,” she said.

“Our research shows that planning is key for shoppers this year…forward planning helps offset last-minute shopping stress.”

Where have you picked up a good bargain? Share your best shopping tips in the comments below.

People are seen shopping in Pitt street Mall in Sydney ahead of Christmas. Picture: NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Ms Brown said shoppers should compare prices online, set spending limits, leave space for budget surprises and little luxuries and keep an eye out for special offers.

Claudia Rickett, 31, from Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, said that e-commerce platforms like Temu allow for intelligent cost-cutting during the festive period.

Temu is an online e-commerce platform owned by Chinese company PDD holdings that first launched in Australia back in March 2023.

More than 1.2 million Aussies shop on Temu every month according to Roy Morgan, and the site is tracking to reach $1.3 billion in domestic sales.

“In the past, I’ve been a bit of a big spender…but because of (platforms like Temu) we can afford to spend a little bit more on presents,” she said.

As on Office Co-ordinator, Claudia often hosts events in both her workplace and at home, and she says that Temu has been a “one-stop-shop” for decorations and other non-gift or grocery related expenses that are common in Christmas budgets.

Claudia Rickett, 31, from Sydney. Picture: Supplied

“The quality is genuinely fantastic (and) you just can’t compete with the price… the amount of things I bought in this last Christmas haul, I would never get for that price anywhere else,” she said.

“I’m getting everything out of the way in one go, so it’s also saving me a bit of running around in time as well.”

Shoppers buying online should be vigilant when purchasing items from retailers in Australia and overseas.

The ACCC lists steps that suppliers should follow when any product is recalled for a safety issue.

The latest guide and list of products recalled can be found on the ACCC’s Product Safety website.

A recent CHOICE safety test found coin and button battery-operated products tested from Temu failed at least one requirement of Australia’s button battery regulations – including children’s watches, electronic writing pads, spinning tops, mini electronic games, LED tea lights and light-up tutus.

Originally published as Last-minute Christmas shopping tips for Australians